After taking a moment to relax, Kel sat up reluctantly. "I have to go," her stomach pitted with regret. "The others are still at the library… and I have-"
"I understand," Dom interrupted, sitting up so he could wrap his arms around her. Squeezing her tightly, he kissed the top of her head. "You crazy pages are kept busy. And you wouldn't want any rumors starting about you on my account." He pulled back, grinning wickedly.
Kel shook her head as she stood up, looking around for her clothes. "Started. Right. You kissing me in the hall before you left with the Own, in front of everyone, didn't do that at all." She pulled her dress over her head, pulling the laces tight behind her.
Dom watched her, concern filling his sapphire eyes. "Did I cause you problems?" He stood up, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her tightly against him.
Sighing, she leaned her head on his bare chest, thinking about his question. Her friends had teased her. But no more than they did Neal, when he dedicated a new round of poetry to his current infatuation. Clasping her hands behind his neck, she pulled his head down for a kiss. "No problems," she murmured, running her hands along his chest. "But I really do have to go."
Pulling back, Dom slung an arm around her as he led her to the door. "Well, then, my lady, it is time for you to take your leave. I shall see you soon." He pulled open the door, stepping aside to allow her to pass.
"Dom," she hissed, feeling her face flush as she quickly looked out at the deserted hall. "You aren't clothed."
"That's fine. I think I shall go to bed."
Chuckling, she kissed him on the cheek before hurrying back to the library.
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The following evening, Kel was pleasantly surprised to see her old friend Cleon sitting among the squires in the mess. She waved at him, watching his face light up as he waved back. Smiling, she set her food tray on the table as she sat next to Neal. The Stump had just finished an inspiring prayer about punctuality when she was gathering her food.
"Hey!" Neal greeted, his mouth full of cake. Swallowing hastily, he grinned at her. "Did you see it snowing outside?"
"No, I try to pay attention to my lessons, Neal, not gaze out the window." She lifted his extra helping of dessert from his tray, placing it out of his reach. "Eat your vegetables before you stuff yourself with cake," she scolded.
Ignoring her, Neal grinned around at the rest of their friends. Owen was grinning back, but Merric and Seaver were too busy shoveling food in their mouths to notice.
"Isn't it a bit late for snow?" Kel asked, taking a bite of her own supper. "The examinations are coming up soon."
"It's not unheard of," Neal shrugged.
"It's going to snow all night!" Owen put in. "But it's so warm, it'll be all sticky… perfect for another snowball fight!"
"We decided on a rematch," Neal continued. "Since some people are argumentative over the specifics of the last match." Merric glared at him, but continued to eat in silence.
Kel chuckled until Seaver shot her a glare of his own. "Is Dom up for it?" she asked quickly.
Neal nodded emphatically. "And he wants to bring a friend; Cleon wants in on it too."
Swallowing her overlarge mouthful, Kel shook her head. "How long have you been planning this? Like…"
"You don't have punishment duty tomorrow, do ya Kel?" Owen interrupted. As she shook her head, he gave a little bounce in his seat. "Oh this'll be jolly then! We're meeting at first bell tomorrow, same courtyard!"
"Two teams of four," Neal put in. "Come on, we have to work on our homework now, if we want to have all day tomorrow!" He stood up, his tray already empty. The others followed him, taking their trays to the cleaners.
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A/N: So there will be one or two more chapters, it depends on how they come out I guess. I figured, it all started with a snowball fight, it should end with one!
Review replies (an idea 'borrowed' from Brandi Heir):
Kallipop: Thank you! I'm happy you liked it :)
MissjuliaMiriam: So… I did it! I'm sorry I'm a major wimp, but I did post it somewhere and the point is I wrote it! I never would have if you hadn't mentioned it… I actually never would have thought of it, probably. It was fun! And I'm happy you and Brandi liked the D/K/N interaction… I was trying desperately to keep them in character… but they were never in a scenario like that in the books, so it's hard to say.
Brandi Heir: Your reviews make me happy. :D And as I'm typing this, I got an email popping up saying that you updated No Music, No Life! So! I'm going to post this, and when I have time, I am going to rush to my computer like a crazy person to read your update! But I need a lot of time to read, analyze, and give it the amazing review I already know it deserves. :)